Want to set up a rule that turns on your Zigbee-powered Philips Hue LEDs whenever you unlock your door? That's a reasonable option when you have a hub that speaks both Zigbee and Z-Wave. That are compatible with your Z-Wave hub should have some level of integration with your smart lock. With the Z-Wave locks that work over "universal" hubs like SmartThings and Vivint security brings voice control to the forefront at CES.7 essential IFTTT recipes for the Amazon Echo.Scouting out a security system that talks to Amazon's Alexa.Alexa, Siri, let's talk: Adding voice control to the CNET Smart Home.Echo effect: How Amazon's Alexa will give voice to more devices.Why smart locks in the CNET Smart Home make me uncomfortable.Connecting your smart lock to the internet with Wi-Fi is going to give you the most options for features, including integration with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. With Wi-Fi enabled, you can lock and unlock your door remotely, create new users or access codes from anywhere and view your lock's status and activity log. That said, built-in Wi-Fi will likely drain your batteries quicker than Bluetooth, so stock up on the required batteries. Schlage and Kwikset are also ditching Wi-Fi modules, so I'd advise against filling up another outlet in your home with a Wi-Fi module if you aren't dead set on a specific smart lock. In 2020, August released a smart lock with Wi-Fi built in. Once you've plugged in these accessory devices and made that connection, you can control your lock from anywhere with an Internet connection. The same goes for the $100 Kwikset Kevo Plus. For August's line of locks, a $79 August Connect plugs into a power outlet and bridges the connection between the Bluetooth August lock and your Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi is available as an optional add-on with some smart locks. Examples: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, Kwikset Kevo Plus.The Kwikset Kevo Plus translates your lock's Bluetooth signal into a Wi-Fi signal you can access from anywhere. But, if you don't plan to use a bunch of other devices in conjunction with your lock, Z-Wave may not be right for you. The plus side is that you can connect to more third-party devices than a standard Bluetooth lock - if you have SmartThings or another hub. Z-Wave's biggest setback is the requirement of an additional hub to talk to Wi-Fi. This can either leave you feeling disappointed that you don't have detailed, dedicated settings for your lock, or happy to not be downloading yet another app with yet another log-in. The Z-Wave signal can bounce up to four different times, for a maximum range of about 600 feet (walls, doors and other obstructions will all take a toll on range).ĭon't offer their own app - instead the interface for the lock will pop up in the app of whatever Z-Wave hub you use. The range of a Z-Wave connection is about 120 feet, so the lock will need to be at least that close to the hub - though additional Z-Wave devices can act as range extenders by repeating the signal from the hub and sending it further. (Here are the complete lists of SmartThings- and Wink-compatible locks.) In particular works with a bunch of third-party Z-Wave locks, from Kwikset and Poly-Control to Schlage and Yale. Samsung's SmartThings and the Wink Hub are two examples of Z-Wave control hubs. The Wink Hub can translate a Z-Wave smart lock's transmissions into something your router can understand. That hub will translate the lock's Z-Wave signal into something your router can understand - once it does, you'll be able to connect with your lock from anywhere. Instead, they'll need to connect to a Z-Wave-compatible hub. Unlike Bluetooth locks, Z-Wave locks don't connect directly with your phone. Z-Wave smart locks are available from brands like Schlage, Poly-Control and others. Examples: Poly-Control's Danalock (Z-Wave version), Schlage Camelot Touchscreen Deadbolt, Yale Real Living Touchscreen Z-Wave Deadbolt.If you want to control your lock remotely, adding passcodes or letting people in while you're away, you're going to need a Z-Wave hub or Wi-Fi-connected smart lock. Lock your front door, leave home, then return within Bluetooth range, and your front deadbolt will automatically unlock. For instance, the August lock has an opt-in auto-unlock feature that's tied to your phone's Bluetooth. There are still some neat integrations available with Bluetooth-only smart locks, though. That's convenient if your smart-home aspirations end at your lock, but hubs grant you the ability to control multiple connected devices from a single app, which can be more convenient than dividing home control among an assortment of device-specific apps. You don't need any sort of hub device to act as translator, since your phone already speaks the language. Something else to keep in mind is that Bluetooth locks will connect directly with your phone or tablet. You won't have to guess who's coming to dinner with these smart doorbells.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |